| Ground Address | |
| President | Carl Winchcomb |
| Secretary | John Simpson |
| Treasurer | Emily Davis |
| Club Website | |
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The Colac Imperials Football Netball Club, affectionately known as the Imps, is one of the most successful and historically significant clubs in the Colac & District Football Netball League (CDFNL). With a proud legacy dating back to 1937, the Imperials continue to thrive as a club built on tradition, resilience, and community spirit.
The Colac Imperials were formed in 1937 following the disbandment of St Andrews Football Club, which had competed in the Colac Churches Association. Many founding members were returned servicemen, and the club’s name, “Imperials,” was chosen in tribute to the Imperial Forces. The club also made a deliberate decision not to be named “Colac” to avoid liability for the debts of a previous club of the same name.
In its early years, the club competed in the Colac Association, facing off against clubs like Coragulac Rovers, Warrion, Swan Marsh, Alvie, Nalangil, Elliminyt, and St Mary’s (Colac).
From 1940 to 1944, the club went into recess due to World War II, though it notably played an exhibition match in 1940 against an RAAF team from Cressy. The Imperials reformed in 1945 and immediately tasted success, winning that year’s grand final.
In 1948, the disbanded Colac Diggers Football Club, another team made up of returned servicemen, saw many of its players join the Imperials. A year later, in 1949, a large number of Imperials players moved to the newly formed Colac Tigers, which resulted in the Tigers taking over the Western Oval and the Imperials relocating back to the Colac Showgrounds.
After success in the CDFNL, the Imperials moved to the Polwarth Football Association in 1950, joining clubs such as Apollo Bay, Lorne, Winchelsea, and Birregurra. During this period, the club changed its playing uniform from Royal Blue with a Gold band and white knickers (from their St Andrews roots) to blue and white hoops, adopting a similar design to AFL club Geelong to avoid a clash with Winchelsea.
In 1955, the club returned to the CDFNL and remained based at the Colac Showgrounds until settling permanently at Western Reserve in 1972, where the club remains today.
Since 1945, the Colac Imperials have won 12 senior premierships, making them the second-most successful post-war club in the CDFNL behind Alvie. The club’s rich football tradition is built on decades of competitive spirit, strong coaching, and player development.
The Imperials’ netball division has been equally impressive. The club has claimed 7 A Grade premierships, with victories in:
1988, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2012, 2013, and 2014
These achievements reflect the strength of the club’s netball program and its commitment to fostering talent across all age levels.
The Imperials play at the Western Reserve in Sinclair Street, Colac. This facility is one of the region’s leading venues and serves as the home base for both football and netball operations, providing a hub for players, families, and supporters.
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